Clutch



June.13, 1939. c, EASQN v 2,162,071

CLUTCH Filed Jan. 15, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 darerwe fllasan Patented June, 13, 1939 PATENT OFFlCE CLUTCH Clarence M. Eason, Waukesha, Wis, assignor to Industrial Clutch Company, a corporation of Wisconsin Application January '15, 1937, Serial No; 120,762

22 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to clutches and the like for connecting and disconnecting driving and driven' elements.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved clutch mechanism having a driving disc flexibly connected with the driving element and a pair of driven discs or plate members which move with the driven shaft.

A further object of the present invention in this connection is the provision of an improved clutch construction in which the clutch unit is readily detachable from the driving element and which, when detached, can be easily disassembled so as to remove and replace the driving disc without disassembling or in any way affecting the position of the biasing springs which normally clamp the two driven clutch plates against the driving clutch disc.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of improved shifting mechanism for controlling the clutch and in which the bearing means supporting the driven shaft in the clutch housing takes substantially all of the stresses involved when the biasing springs are compressed to release or disengage the clutch, but which is not subjected to any stress from the biasing springs when the clutch is engaged. I

These and other objects and advantages of th present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred structural embodiment of the invention that is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a generally vertical longitudinal section taken substantially along the line ll of Figure 2 and showing the details of a clutch embodying the principles of the present invention; I

Figure 2 is an end view of the clutch shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing the. details of one of the flexible connecting units between the driving clutch plate and the driving element.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, the reference numeral Ill indicates a driving part in the form of a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, which represents any convenient or desired source of power, and the crank shaft I is provided with a flange II to which a driving element in the form of a flywheel I2 is bolted,

washers 23 of fiber or other suitable heat insulating means disposed between the plates 2| and 22 and the lug 20, as best shown in Figure 1. The rivets are indicated by the reference numeral 25. Rubber blocks 28 and 29 have their inner surfaces vulcanized or otherwise bonded 1 to the outer surfaces of the plates 2| and 22, and bondedto the outer surfaces of the rubber blocks 28 and 29 are oppositely disposed generally U-shaped straps 30 and 3| which have their end portions brought together and apertured, as at 33, to receive the reduced ends of spacing bushings and 36, (Figure 4), the reduced ends of the bushings 35 and 36 being riveted over, as at 38, so as to secure the two strap members 30 and 3| in position with the rubber blocks 28 and 29 initially compressed, as indicated in Figures 1 and 4. The bushings 35 and 36 are tubular, and receive attaching studs 40 and II by which the straps 30 and 3|, and associated tubular bushings 35 and 36, are detachably connected to the driving element or flywheel I2.

Each of the four flexible connecting units are identical, and hence a further description is believed to be unnecessary. In the transmission of torque from the driving element or flywheel l2 to the driving clutch plate IS, the rubber blocks 28 and 29 are stressed only in shear, and hence every particle of each block is functionally active in transmitting the torque from one driving part to the other. Also, the rubber blocks acting in shear accommodate any misalignment between the axis of the driving element l2 and the axis of the driven shaft. The particular details of the flexible connecting means are substantially the same as certain of the flexible connecting units shown and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 117,809, filed December 28, 1936.

The driven shaft is indicated by the reference numeral and has a forward reduced end 5| journaled for rotation by bearing means 52 in a recessed portion 53 formed in the end of the driving element ill, I2. Preferably, the bearing means 52 is of the form which may be easily inserted in and removed from the recess 53 by moving the driven shaft 50 axially of the crank or the like. The outer race of the bearing means 56 is indicated at 8| and is seated against a shoulder 62. formed in the nose or extended portion 68'of a clutch housing 88 which, as best shown in Figure 1, encloses'the clutch mechanism. The housing nose section 68 has a radially inwardly disposed flange'66 which forms the shoulder 62 and which carries suitable lubricant sealing means 61 that cooperates with the flange 58 of the driven shaft 58 in retaining lubricant within the housing extension or nose 68. Preferably, the bearing means 56 is of the form that is capable of taking both radially andaxially directed loads.

The inner end of the driven shaft 58 is provided with a shouldered section 18 upon which a driven clutch plate member II is'mounted in fixed position, as by a key I2 disposed in a slot I8 cut in the driven shaft-58,. and a nut I5 is screwed onto the threaded end 16 of the shaft 58 and holds theiixed driven clutch plate member II up against the shoulder I8. A lock washer 'II serves to prevent the lock nut 15 from loosening.

A shiftable clutch plate member 88 is mounted for axial movement relative to the fixed driven clutch plate member 'II about the hub 8| of the latter. normally disposed between the driven clutch plate members II and 88, and the driving plate I5 carries the usual friction lining 88 riveted thereto as at 88. The fixed driven clutch member II is provided with a pluralityof openings 85 therein, there being preferably six openings, as best indicated in Figure 3. Each of the openings 85 carries a spring receiving cup member 86 of chrome stainless steel or other material having the requisite strength and low heat conductivity, and the inner portions of the cup members 86 extend axially inwardly and into recesses 81 formed in the shiftable driven clutch plate member 88. The openings or recesses 81 fit snugly about the inner ends of the spring receiving cups 86, whereby the latter serve as dowels or other means for causing the driven clutch members II and 88 to rotate together while accommodating 'the axial shifting movement of .the shiftable driven clutch plate member 88.

A spring 98 is seated with its inner end in each of the cups 86, as best indicated in Figure 1, and the outer end of each of the springs 98 is received in a recess 9I formed in the flange of a shift collar or ring 92 which is disposed about the driven shaft 58. The collar 92 has a hub 98 with a slot 94 therein which receives the outer end of the key I2 that fixes the driven clutch plate member 'II to the inner end of the driven shaft 58. The ring or collar 92, however, is capable of axial shifting motion along the driven shaft 58. A plurality of tie rods or studs 96 have their outer ends threaded into the flange of the shift collar 92, there being as many studs 96 as there The driving clutch plate member I5 is each of the studs 96- is reduced-and threaded, as

at I88, to receive a nut I8I which, when tightened, firmly fastens the inner endof the stud 96 to the shiftable clutch plate member 88. The inner ends of the several springs 98 react through the cup members 86 against the fixed shaft-carried clutch plate member 'II and act,

- at their outer ends, against the shift ring 92 to exert a pull on the studs "and thereby cause the shiftable clutch plate member 88 to clamp the driving clutch plate I5 between the driven clutch members TI .and' 88, serving thereby to transmit the torque from the driving element I8,

I2 to the "driven element 58.

The clutch is disengaged by exerting an axially inwardly directed force against the shift ring 92 to compress the several springs 98 and to act through the studs 96 to move the shif table clutch plate member 88 inwardly. The mechanism for releasing the clutch will now be'described.

A stationary cam member I I8 is disposed within the nose portion 68 of the clutch housing and has a flangesection I'II bearing against the outer bearing race H. The stationary cam II8 is pro-- vided with anaxially inwardly directed cam sunface II2 with which the'companion axially outwardly facing cam surface I I8 on a rotatable cam member I I4 cooperates. The rotatable cam member m is disposed about the driven shaft 50,

similarly to the stationary cam H8, and is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed lug receiving notches III and a shifting face II8 adapted to engage a washer H9 formed of antifriction material and carried on.the outer face of the shift ring 92. The stationary cam member H8 is held within-the nose 68 and the clutch housing 68 against rotation by any suitable means, such as aplurality of screws I22 threaded into the member H8 and disposed in slots or openings I28 formed in the nose 68.

An operating .handle I88 is extended circular hub I8I having an internal diameter suflicient to embrace the radially outwardly facing shoulder I88 formed on the nose portion 68 adjacent the clutch housing 64, 'and provided .with an tending notches m and us through which a pair of lugs I88 and I89 extend that are bolted, as at I88 and I. (Figure 2), to the operating handle I88. The inner ends of the lugs I88 and I89 are disposed in the notches III formed in the rotatable cam element Ill.

When the handle I88 is rotated'in a. plane transverse to the axis of rotation of the driven shaft 58, the lugs II 1 cause the shiftable cam member Ill to move with the handle I88, and in doing so the-cooperatingcam surfaces I I2 and H8 force the shiftable cam element II 4 toward the left, as viewed in Figure 1, applying pressure to the shift ring 92 and moving the shiftable clutch member 88 inwardly out of contact with the driving clutch plate I5 and compressing the springs 98, thereby releasing the clutch. When it is desired to reengage the clutch, the handle I88 is moved back to its original position, which permits the springs 88 to expand and draw the shiftable clutch part 88 up against the driving clutch part I5. In this action, it is desirable to provide means for shifting. the movable cam member I outwardly, andto this end a flat spring I is bolted, as at I46, to a boss section I" (Figure 2) formed on theclutch housing 64.

The inner end of the spring I45 is rounded, as

at I58 (Figure l) and engages in a notch III 75 formed in the shiftable member I so as to move the latter outwardly along the driven shaft 59 up against the stationary cam member III when the hand lever I" is in its clutch engaged position (Figure 1). The throw of the hand lever III is slightly greater than the angular distance between the high and low points of the cam surfaces H2 and II 8, so that when the hand lubricant bore "I to the sliding 'shift ring 92 and to the bearing 56. Sumcient lubricant passes through these ducts to lubricate the associated parts, and the bearing of the hand lever hub I3I on, the outside of the clutch housing nose 63 is lubricated by means of a fitting I65 that communicates with a circumferentially extending bore I66. The nose 6! of the clutch housing 64 is provided with a plurality, preferably three, of lubricant ducts I61 which lead from the, circumferentially extending lubricant bore I68 to the space between the cam members III! and Ill. The lubricant that passes through the ducts I61 keeps the'cam surfaces H2 and H3 adequately lubricated so as to provide for easy and accurate control of the clutch.

The clutch housing 64 is provided with an opening I15 (Figure I) normally closed by a plate I16 secured to -the housing 64 by removable stud bolts I19. when it is desired to remove the clutch unit from the flywheel I2, the plate I16 is removed, and then it is possible to disconnect the rubber cushioning units, one at a time, by taking out the stud bolts 40 and H. When all four of the rubber units are disconnected from the flywheel I2, the clutch housing 64 can th n be detached from the motor housing, and the entire clutch unit, including the housing 64 and the driven shaft 50, can be lifted away from the engine.

.After the clutch unit has been detached, as described above, it is a simple matter to set.the same upright, remove the nuts IIII fastening the studs 96 to the driven clutch member 80, and then the driving clutch member I5 can be lifted out and replaced by a new clutch plate or for the purpose of renewing the clutch linings. The expansion of the springs when the nuts IIlI are removed is limited by the engagement of the shiftable clutch ring 92 with the cam member Ill, the clearances being such that the sprin s 90 do not carry the studs 96 far enough to prevent the subsequent insertion of another driving clutch plate and the reassembly of the driven clutch member I. on the ends of the studs 96. By tightening the nuts IIII and drawing the shoulder on the inner end of each of the studs 96 up against the driven clutch plate 80, the clutch unit is then ready to be reassembled by first bolting the clutch housing back into position on the motor block, and then each of the rubber cushioning units can be attached to the flywheel through the opening I15, after which the plate I19 is replaced and the bolts I18 inserted and tightened.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure embodying the principles of the present invention, it will'be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invenwhat I claim, f re. and desire to secure y Letters Patent is: I

l. A disc clutch comprising a driven-shaft, a

driving disc member, a driven disc member disposed on the outside of said driving disc member and fixed to said driven shaft, a-movable driven disc member carried adjacent the inner end of said driven shaft and on the inside of said driving disc member, means extending axially of said driven disc members for causing them to rotate together, each of said means having an axially extending opening therein, and means passing through said openings and connected with said inner driven disc member for shifting the latter to engage and disengage the clutgh.

2. A spring loaded disc clutch comprising a driven shaft, a driven disc member fixed rigidly to said shaft and carrying spring receiving sockets, a second driven disc member movably mounted relative to said first disc member and disposed inwardfy of thelatter, springs seated in said sockets and extending outwardly, a shift ring axially movable on said driven shaft and receiving the outer ends of said springs, a driving disc member adapted to be clamped between said driven disc members, and tie rods connected to said shift ring and extending inwardly through said springs and sockets and connected to said movably mounted driven disc member, said springs serving to clamp the driving disc member between said driven disc members.

3. A spring loaded disc clutch adapted to connect a driving and a driven member, comprising a driving disc member, flexible means yieldable in a generally radial directionv and serving to connect said driving disc member with the driving member, a driven disc member fixedly secured to the inner end of said driven shaft and having a hub section extending inwardly, a second driven disc member shiftably mounted about the inwardy extended hub section of the first mentioned driven disc member and disposed on the inside of said driving disc member, and means reacting against said fixed driven disc member for causing the other driven disc member to cfarnpthe driving disc member therebetween.

4. A-disc clutch comprising, in combination, a driving disc member adapted to be connected with a driving element, a pair of driven disc members disposed on opposite sides of said driving disc member, a driven shaft to which one of said driven disc members is rigidly and fixedly connected, said one driven disc member having apertured spring receiving cups extending axially' inwardly beyond the driving disc member, the other driven discmember having recesses receiving the inner ends of said cups, whereby the latter accommodate axial movement of the inner driven disc member but constrain the latter to rotate with said fixed driven disc member, a key for fixedly connecting the last mentioned driven disc member to said driven shaft and extending said cups and extending outwardly to contact with said shift ring, and tie rods connected to said shift ring and passing through said fixed driven disc member and connected with said other driven disc member, whereby said springs serve to draw the shiftable driven disc member toward the fixed driven disc member to clamp the driving,disc member therebetween.

5. A disc clutch comprising, in combination, a

driving disc member adapted to be connected with a driving element,.a pair of drivendisc members disposed on opposite sides of said driving disc member, a driven shaft to which one of for fixedly connecting the last mentioned driven.

disc member to said driven shaft and extending axially outwardly, a shift ring slidably mounted on said driven shaft and constrained to rotate with, the latter by said key, springs carried by said cups and extending outwardly to contact with said shift rins, tie rods connected to said shift ring and passing through said fixed driven disc member and connected with said other driven disc member, whereby said springs serve to draw the shiftable driven disc member toward the fixed driven disc member to clamp the driving disc member therebetween, and means acting against said shift ring for causing the shift ring to compress said springs and to act through said tie rods to movesaid shiftable driven disc member away from said fixed driven disc member to release the driving disc member disposed therebetween.

6. A spring loaded disc clutch comprising a pair of driven disc members, a driving disc member therebetween, spring means acting against the inner driven disc member and reacting against the outer disc member for clamping the driving disc member therebetween, means for causing said driven disc members to rotate together, comprising a plurality of pins fixed to the inner driven disc member and extending outwardly through openings in the other driven disc member, and shift means engaging the outer ends of said pins for shifting said inner disc member away from the driving disc member.

7. In a disc clutch adapted to connect a driving element to a driven element, the combination of a driving disc having a series of peripherally disposed radially outwardly extendinglugs, and means for flexibly connecting said disc to said driving element comprising a pair of plates dis-' posed on opposite'sides of each of said lugs, means for fastening each pair of plates to the associated'lug, including means having low heatv conductivity, a rubber blockbonded to'the outer side of each of said plates, a second pair of plates bonded to the outer sides of said blocks of rubber, and means for anchoring each of said pairs of outer plates to said driving element for transmitting torque to said driving disc through said rubber'blocks and said peripheral disc lugs.

8. A clutch unit comprising a driven shaft, a drivenclutch plate fixedly secured to said driven shaft adjacent the inner ,end thereof, a shiftable clutch plate mounted about the inner end of said driven shaft inwardly of said fixed clutch plate, a driving clutch plate disposed between said driven clutch plates, and means controlling aid shiftable clutch plate including'parts extending through said fixed clutch plate and rearranged to limit the leasably connected to said shiftable clutch plate, the detachable connection of said driving clutch plate with said driving element accommodating the removal of the clutch plates and driven shaft as a unit from the driving element and the subsequent removal of' said shiftable clutch plate and said driving clutch plate by detaching said control means from said shiftable clutch plate.

9. In a clutch comprising, in combination, a driving element, a driven shaft removably associated with said driving element, a driving clutch plate detachably connected to said drivsing element, a pair of driven clutch members,

one fixed to the inner end of said driven shaft and the other disposed for axial'movement on the inside of said fixed clutch member and with said driving clutch plate disposed between said driven clutch members, a plurality of axially directed parts disposed in openings in said fixed clutch member and extending inwardly of the latter, said shiftable clutch member being mounted for movement on said parts toward said fixed clutch member to clamp the driving clutch plate therebetween, means associated with said parts and detachably connected to said shiftable clutch member, and shifting means reacting against the outer portion of said last named means for moving said shiftable clutch member relative to said fixed clutch member.

10. In a disc clutch, the combination of a driving element, adriven shaft detachably associated therewith, a driving clutch plate detachably connected to said driving element, a pair of driven clutch members, one being fixed to the inner portion of said driven shaft, and the other being disposed'inwardly thereof and adapted to have axial movement with respect thereto,

said driving plate being disposed between said driven clutch members, spring receiving sockets carried by said fixed clutch mmeber, springs seated in said sockets and extending axially outwardly of said fixed clutch member, an axlally extending link disposed in each of said sockets and the associated spring, means detachably connecting the inner end of each of said links with said shiftable clutch plate, and shiftingmeans engageable links for shifting said inner clutch member against the action of said springs to release the driving clutch plate, said shifting means being axially outward movement of said links when the driven shaft and associated parts are detached from said" driving element and said links are detached from said shiftable clutch member, whereby the latter and said driving clutch plate may be removed from the'clutch without disturbing said springs.

} spring means for engaging said clutch means,

and means including a part engaging the outer bearing race for compressing said spring means to disengage the clutch, said spring means in being compressed reacting through said driven shaft against the other of said bearing races.

12. In a clutch, a housing, a driven shaft, bearing means supporting said shaft for rotation in said housing and including inner and outer bear ing races, driving and driven clutch means adapted to connect said shaft to a driving element, means for engaging said clutch means including biasing springs and a shiftable member movable with the outer ends of said I axially along said driven shaft, a stationary cam ring surrounding said driven shaft and engaging the outer bearing race, 'a shiftable cam ring disposed inwardly of said stationary cam ring and cooperating therewith to engage and move said shiftable member, and means carried by said housing and engaging said shiftable cam ring for moving the latter.

13. In a clutch, a housing, a pair of relatively movable clutch members, means for shifting one of said members relative to the other comprising a pair of cam members having cooperating cam surfaces, one of said cam members being fixed relative to said housing and the other movable with respect thereto, and means mounted exteriorly of said housing for limited movement thereon and operatively connected to said movable cam element, the permissive movement of said exteriorly mounted means being slightly greater than the distance between the high .and low points on said cooperating cam surfaces, whereby said cam members in one position of said exteriorly mounted means are moved slightly past a position in which the high point on one cam member engages the high point on the other cam member.

14. A disc clutch comprising a driven shaft,

'a driving disc member, a driven disc member disposed on the outside of said driving disc member, a movable driven disc member carried adjacent the inner end of said driven shaft and on the inside of said driving disc, means extending axially of said driven disc members for causing them to rotate together, each of said means having an axially extending opening therein, means passing through said openings and detachably connected with said inner driven disc member for shifting the latter to engage and disengage the clutch, and shift mechanism disposed about said driven shaft and engageable with said connecting means for shifting said inner driven disc member, said shift mechanism being engageable by said connecting means to prevent disassembly of the clutch parts when said movable driven disc member is detached from said connecting means.

15. A disc clutch comprising a driven shaft, a driving disc member, a driven disc member disposed on the outside of said driving disc member, a movable driven disc member carried adjacent the inner end of said driven shaft and on the inside of said driving disc, there being openings in the outer driven disc member, means extending through said openings and detachably connected to the inner driven disc member,

springs acting between said outer driven .disc' member and the outer ends of said detachably connected means, and shift mechanism acting through said detachably connected means for shifting the inner driven disc member relative to the outer driven disc member against the action of said springs and acting to limit the expansion of said springs when said detachably connected means is detached from said inner driven disc member.

16. A spring loaded disc clutch comprising a driven shaft, a driven disc member on said shaft, a second driven disc member axially movable relative tosaid first disc member, one of said members carrying spring receiving sockets, springs'having their inner ends seated in said sockets and their outer ends extending outwardly thereof, means including parts fixed to the other disc member and extending axially through said sockets for connecting said outer ends of the springs with said other disc-member, a driving disc member adapted to be clamped between said driven disc members, and means operatively connected with said parts for shifting said other disc member relatively to said one disc member, said springs serving to clamp the driving disc member between said driven disc members.

1'7. A disc, clutch comprising, 'in combination, a driving disc member adapted to be connected with a driving element, a pair of driven disc members disposed on opposite sides of said driving disc member, a driven shaft to which one of said driven disc members is connected, said one driven disc member having apertured spring receiving cups extending axially inwardly beyond the. driving disc member, the other driven.

disc member having recesses receiving the inner ends of said cups, whereby the latter accommodate axial movement of the inner driven disc member but constrain the latter to rotate with said fixed driven disc member, a shift ring slidably mounted on said driven shaft axially outwardly of said one disc member, springs car-' ried by said cups and extending outwardly to contact with said shift ring, and tie rods con-- nected to said shift ring and passing throughsaid first driven disc member and connected with said other driven disc member, whereby said springs serve to draw the shiftable driven disc member toward the other driven disc member to clamp the driving disc member therebetween.

18. In a disc clutch adapted to connect a driving element to a driven element, the combination of a driving disc having a series of peripherally disposed radially outwardly extending lugs, and means for flexibly connecting said disc to said driving element comprising a pair of plates disposed on opposite sides of each of said lugs, means for fastening each pair of plates to the associated lug, including spaced apart washers of low heat conductivitmsaid washers spacing said plates away from said driving disc to promote the circulation of air between the latter and said plates, a rubber block bonded to the outer side of each of said plates, a second pair of plates bonded to the outer sides of said blocks of rubber, and means for anchoring each of said pairs of outer plates to said driving element for transmitting torque to said driving disc through said rubber blocks and said peripheral disc lugs.

19. In a clutch, a housing, a driven shaft, bearing means supporting said shaft for rotation in said housing and including inner and outer bearing races, driving and driven clutch means adapted to connect said shaft to a driving element, spring means for. engaging said clutch means, and means including a part reacting against one of the bearing races for compressing said spring means to disengage the clutch, said spring means in being compressed reacting against the other of said bearing races.

housing, a driving element, a driven shaft detachably associated therewith and journaled in said housing, a driving clutch plate detachably connected to said driving element, a pair of driven clutch members, one being fixed to the inner portion of said driven shaft and the other being disposed inwardly thereof and adapted to have axial movement with respect thereto, said driving plate being disposed between said driven clutch members, spring receiving sockets carried bysaid fixed clutchlmemb'er, springs seated in said sockets and extending axially outwardly of said fixed clutch member, an axially extending :link disposed in each} of 'said sockets and the associated spring, means detachably connecting the inner .end of each of said links with said shiitable clutch plate, and shitting means react- I ing against said housing and engageable with the outer ends oi said links for shifting said inher clutch memberagainst the action oi said springs to release the driving clutch plate.

21. A disc clutch comprising a driven shaft. a

10 driving disc member, a driven disc member disposed on the outside oi said driving discmember, a movable. driven disc member carried adjacent the inner end 01 said driven shaft and on the inside of said driving disc, means extend- -ing axially of said driven disc members for caus- 'member for shifting disengage the clutch. 22. A disc clutch comprising a driven shaft, .9. driving disc member, a driven disc member disposed on the outside of said driving disc memher, a movable driven disc member carried adjacent the inner end 01' said driven shaft and ,on the inside of said driving disc member, there being openings in theouter driven disc member, means extending through said openings and detachably connected to the inner driven disc member, biased means acting against the outer ends of said detachably connected means for moving the inner driven disc member against the 1 driving disc member, and means limiting the outward movement oi said biased-means when said detachably connected means is detached from the inner driven disc member.

I CLARENCE M. EASON.

the latter to engage and V 

